Newsletter

March 2009

Dear Friends,

John was waiting for me in the small room with bare walls and plastic chairs. A giant floor buffer stood propped in one corner. “Looks like it’s just you and me,” he said. John is a 40 year old heroine addict. He has tried to put it down many times, but it never seems to take. We talked about God’s grace, his forgiveness and second chances. At the end of the hour, John shook my hand. “Thanks. You know, you opened it up and broke it down so I see now what I got to do. I’m glad you came.” He smiled as he left the room.  

The road to recovery, to re-entry, to a new life doesn’t begin at release. It begins inside when God lights a spark in a man’s heart and the spark begins to burn with hope and possibility.  We carry that spark every time we go behind the wall, every time we sit down across from a man about to be released.

Spring is bustin’ out all over. The snow is gone from the backyard. The bees have reappeared, those that survived the winter. The crocus will bloom soon. It’s been a long winter, but God has blessed this work almost beyond belief. We’re helping more individuals every month. New ministry opportunities appear almost daily. 

I’ve seen a big rise in phone calls from guys and families seeking help. Last week, for instance, I spent the day in Boston, helping Darrell get a birth certificate, Social Security card and picture ID from the RMV. On Monday, I began teaching a course called “Choose Life” at the Billerica House of Correction. Bud will begin teaching a course called “Planning for Life” next week. These classes will help men prepare for life on the outside and are part of a plan to provide more community support for men leaving jail and prison.

Much grace and many blessings,

Mark